A Conflict of Interest (alternatively called Declaration of Interest) statement, is mandatory for all
articles that are published in the journal and have to be accompanied by this conflict-of-interest
disclosure statement or a statement that the authors have replied that they have no conflicts of
interest to declare. The authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with their
sponsorer or their institution that could inappropriately influence (bias) their work. (Examples of
potential competing interests include employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid
expert testimony, patent applications/registrations, and grants or other funding).

If no declaration is made, the following will be printed under this heading in the article: ‘None
Declared’.
Alternatively, the author may state that ‘The author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest’.
Click here to fill-up the Conflict-of-Interest Statement